Automatic stopper for motion-picture machines



Sept. 28,1926; v 1,601,260 1 P. H. POST AUTOMATIC STOPPER ma MOTION nc'wmm mcmuss Filed April 17, 1922 M 7 2'9 Sept. 28 1926.

. P. H. POST AUTOMATIC S-TOIPPER' FOR MOTION- PICTURE MACHINES 2 Shaeis-Sheet 2 Filed April 1'7. 1922 gwuen for,

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATES PETER H. POST, OF MARSHFIELD, W'ISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC STOPPER FOR MOTION-PICTURE MACHINES.

Application filed April 17, 1922.

This invention relates to an attachment for motion picture machines and its primary object is to provide means for automatically stopping the machine upon breakage or parting of the film.

A further object of the invention is to provide a normal and improved attachment of this character adaptedfor use in connection with a motion picture machine in which an electric motor is the power employed for driving the mechanism, and wherein the attachment is provided with means whereby the machine is entirely protected from the danger of fire, this being so constructed and arranged that immediately upon stoppage or breakage of the film, the motor circuit will be'automatically opened and the ma chine stopped.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved attachment of this general character which will automatically operate to break a supply or feed circuit for the machine to both stop the motor and shut off the light in the event of any pronounced irregularity in the travel of the film, such as breakage or the like.

And a still further object of my invention is to provide a novel attachment of this general character wherein a controlling fluid for the electric circuit of the electric motor is placed within the path of the film so that upon breakage of the film the switch will be automatically opened thus stopping the machine.

And a still further object is to provide an attachment of this general character that can be readily applied to all makes of moving picture machines without the necessity of any alterations to the machine itself.

And a still further object is to provide an attachment of this general character-that can be attached to a moving picture machine by the operator of same, thus avoiding the necessity of securing a mechanic skilled in the art of the manufacture of motion picture machines.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved attachment for motion picture machines whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient for use.

These and like objects will be better understood as the description of the invention Serial No. 553,338.

Figure 3 is a transverse horizontal section of the film guide taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4. is a top'plan view of the clamping member of my attachment taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals will be used to designate like parts in the different views.

The numeral 1 denotes a metal stand' adapted to be clamped around the base of the mechanism of a motion picture machine, not shown. A circuit block 2 is held in position against the outer surface of the stand 1 by means of an approximately Ushaped clamp Fastened to the U-shaped clamp 3 and the circuit block 2 in any suitable manner is the support 4 which extends upwardly to a point beyond the circuit block and is bifurcated at its upper edge to provide arms 5 and 6 respectively which engage the ends of the shaft 7 over which the film is adapted to pass and indicated by dotted lines. Pivotally connected to the underside of the arms 5 of the support 4 as indicated by the numeral 8 is a switch operating lever 9 having a fork end 10, adapted to engage both sides of the split flange guide roller 11, carried by the sleeve 12 which is slidable on the shaft 7. A sleeve 13 having a split flange guide roller 14 formed integral there with is rotatable on the opposite end of the shaft 7 and when'this attachment is applied to a motion picture machine, the film runs over the shaft 7 and between the flanges or collars 11 and 14: respectively.

A recess 15 is formed centrally of the flanges 11 on the outer face of same and a coil spring 16 is placed around the shaft 7 and interposed within the recess 15, one end of the coil sprin bearing against the shoulder formed within the flange 11, while the. opposite end of the coil spring bears against a washer 17 and is held in place by the supporting arm 5.

Running horizontally to the circuit block are circuit constructed wires 18 and 19 respectively which are adapted to be connected at their free ends to an electric motor not shown, for operating a motion picture machine. A fiat spring switch 20 is secured to the circuit block 2 at the terminal 21 of the circuit wire 19, and has a contact point 22 for engagement with the terminal ot' the wire 18. Secured to the fiat spring switch. 20 at the tree end of same is an insulated contact point 24: which is always in engagement with the free end 25 of the switch op erating lever 9. The operation of my invention is as follows, a film passing over the shaft 7 and between the flanges or collars 11 and let is supposed to be under tension at all times while the machine is in operation and upon breakage of the film, or disengagement with the intermittent sprocket, the spring 16 forces the fiange l1 and sleeve 12 along the shaft 7 in the direction of the flange or collar 14, and in moving on the shaft 7 the flange 11 abuts the tt'orked end 10 of the operating lever causing same to swing on its pivot and the free end 25 press firmly against the insulated point ot' the fiat spring switch 20, thus breaking the contact between points 22 and and opening the circuit to the electric motor, not shown, and automatically stopping the machine.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that an attachment of a motion picture machine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the machine and facilities with which it may be assembled and operated and it will also be obvious that my invention is constructable to some changes and modifications without departing from the principal and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to limit myself to the exact details, arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown, except as is hereinafter claimed.

Vhat I claim as new for my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device of the class described comprising a support, a shaft mounted thereon, a pair of sleeves on said shaft forming a. film guide, one of said sleeves being keyed to said shaft, the other sleeve being adapted for slidable movement thereon, a block mounted on said support, a stationary contact on said block, a movable contact thereon, means for supplying a source of electrical current thereto, said movable contact being normally in engagement with the stationary contact whereby the circuit is normally closed, and means associated with said movable Contact and operable by said sliding sleeve upon the breaking of said film to open the circuit.

2. A device of the class described compris ing a circuit block, a support therefor, a film guide, a support for said film guide carried by said circuit block, a stationary contact carried by said circuit block, a mo able contact carried thereby, means for supplyin a source of electric current thereto, said movablecontact being normally in engage ment with said stationary contact, and a lever associated with said film guide and said movable Contact for opening the circuit between said contacts upon the actuation of said film guide in one direction when the film adapted to travel thereon becomes broken.

3. A device o1" the class described comprising a support. a shaft mounted thereon, a pair of sleei es having collars formed thereon and providing a film guide, one of said sleeves being keyed to said shaft the other sleeve being adapted for slidablc movement thereon, a circuit block mounted on said support, a stationary contact thereon, a movable contact associated therewith, means for supplying a source of electric current to said contacts, said movable contact being normally in engagement with said stationary contact, a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends on said support, one end thereof being forked for co-operation with the collar on the slidable sleeve, the opposite end adapted to engage the insulated upper end of said movable contact to disengage the movable contact from the stationary contact upon the inward movement of said slidable sleeve whereby the circuit is opened.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

PETER H. POST. 

